"From then on our tactical superiority went out of the window," said coach Jorge Jesus afterwards. "We had controlled the game tactically but in that instant it began to turn into a scrap."

As Benfica`s defending became more ragged, Luisao was sent off for a rash challenge on Tiago Pinto and, in the final minute, Venezuelan striker Yonathan Del Valle cut inside from the left and finished brilliantly past Julio Cesar.

Cristian Tello continued his recent rich scoring form by putting Porto ahead in Madeira just before the break with a fine left foot shot into the top corner but Nacional soon hit back with a 62nd minute equaliser from Brazilian Wagner.